skift.com – Kristie Goshow’s career journey, much like her personality, is anything but conventional.

Goshow’s love affair with the world began young, inspired by her father’s travels as a petrochemical engineer. “He would come back from these far-off places, full of stories and new languages,” she recalls. “He taught me that it’s safe to leave and try something new.”

Her career started later than most. “I wasn’t ready for university until I was 23,” she admits. “My friends would call me ‘consistently inconsistent.’ I wasn’t built for repetition — unless it’s making a grilled cheese sandwich.”

This wandering spirit eventually led her to jobs at Virgin Atlantic, Le Meridien, Jumeirah Group, Sabre and many other hospitality, travel and technology companies. Working with Virgin Atlantic became a pivotal chapter in her journey. “Every aircraft carries the dreams, hopes, and desires of over 300 individuals,” she says. “Travel is a catalyst for humanity’s growth. It’s a privilege and a great responsibility.”

Her career is a tapestry of experiences across aviation, travel technology, and hospitality. She sees each role as a calculated move, a building block that contributes to her broader vision. The hospitality industry, in particular, has been transformative.

When asked about advice for young aspirants in her field, Goshow, who is now the chief commercial officer of KSL Resorts, emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness and adaptability. “Don’t fixate on titles,” she advises. “Look at the potential impact of your next opportunity. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone.”

Her vision for the industry is encapsulated in her mantra, “Defy the corner chair.” “It’s about challenging irrelevant traditions,” she explains. “Take the ubiquitous corner chair in hotel rooms. To this day, we can still find ‘a corner chair’ in most hotel rooms. What if it wasn’t there? What could that space be used for instead? I wish my legacy will be a ‘what if’ mindset.”

Goshow’s personal passions seamlessly blend with her professional life. Her love for real estate is about unlocking potential, whether in residential or commercial spaces. “It’s like playdough for adults!” she says, delighting in the metaphor.

And then, there’s her love for cooking — specifically, Indian curries. “Growing up in the UK, how could I not love a curry?” she laughs. Chicken tikka masala, Britain’s unofficial national dish, has long been a family favorite. But it’s Madhur Jaffrey’s Butter Chicken that truly holds a special place in her heart.